Water Safety at Home
The numbers of drownings that occur around the home are relatively low when compared to those occurring at other locations. However drownings around the home are the most easily preventable.
Children and vulnerable adults are those most at risk around the home and the majority of drownings in this environment occur in garden ponds and in the bath.
The following basic precautions can be taken around the home to restrict access to the key areas of home drownings and to increase the awareness of the hazards.
Ponds, Swimming Pools, and Water Features
Always use self closing gates, fences and locks to prevent children from gaining access to pools of water.
Paddling Pools and Buckets
- Empty paddling pools and buckets as soon as possible after they have been used
- Always turn paddling pools upside down once empty
Baths and Showers
- Always supervise bath time
- Empty the bath as soon as possible after use
- Vulnerable adults and people who suffer from sudden seizures should consider using showers rather than baths
